Darwin Jihen is a social commentary entertainment piece by Umezawa Shun, set in Missouri, USA, depicting the story of Charlie, a ”Humanzee” boy born between a human and a chimpanzee. The story begins with an incident where the animal liberation terrorist organization ALA attacks a biological science research institute. Charlie, a unique being who is half-human and half-chimpanzee, was born from a pregnant chimpanzee rescued there. Raised with deep affection by human foster parents, he begins attending high school for the first time at age fifteen. From that moment on, he is swept up in a destiny that vacillates between a daily life of trying to be ”normal” and the reality of being unable to be so.

In his high school life, Charlie meets Lucy, a brilliant girl who struggles with her sense of distance from others. The encounter between her, seen as somewhat of an outcast, and Charlie, whose very existence is outside any standard, forms the core relationship of this work. The gazes of classmates—a mix of curiosity, unconscious prejudice, goodwill, and cruelty—are a true microcosm of modern society, and readers will find patterns of discrimination and division within the closed space of the classroom. Their peaceful daily life does not last long, as Charlie becomes a target for the ALA once again due to his origins. However, this conflict cannot be defined by simple good and evil; the questions raised, swaying between the ideology of ”animal liberation” and the reality of the ”dignity of life,” give the story a profound depth.

One of the reasons this work leaves such a strong impression is Charlie’s perspective. The society depicted through his eyes—as someone with high intelligence who is yet deemed ”not human”—is somewhat warped and filled with absurdity. The words and behaviors we use as a matter of course, and the attitude of excluding someone while championing justice, appear as incomprehensible contradictions to Charlie, and that sense of unease pierces the reader’s heart. The question ”Are only humans special?” is never shouted loudly; instead, it emerges quietly during daily conversations and minor events, gradually shaking the reader’s thoughts.

The first volume meticulously depicts Charlie’s upbringing and the struggles of the parents who raised him. The sight of parents who, while raising him with love, worry if they can protect their son from the eyes of society and potential danger, strikes a chord as a universal family drama that transcends the unique setting. Additionally, Charlie himself continues to face the question: ”Who am I?” As a being who is both human and not human, where will he find his place? This search overlaps with the unstable period of adolescence, allowing readers to vicariously experience both his loneliness and his hope.

The delicate yet powerful artwork is another major draw of this work. Charlie’s expressions are particularly rich, with anger, confusion, joy, and sadness finely distinguished, telling his heart’s story more eloquently than words. The well-paced development and the social themes presented one after another maintain a constant tension, making it impossible to stop turning the pages. It is more than just a manga with a buzzy premise; its sense of balance—addressing modern societal issues like terrorism, social media firestorms, discrimination, human rights, and environmental problems head-on without ever losing its entertainment value—is nothing short of masterful.

”Darwin Jihen” is a work that transcends the boundaries of entertainment and encourages self-reflection in the reader. The question of what words you would say or what stance you would take if Charlie were right in front of you is presented quietly but surely. There are not many manga that provide the experience of seeing the world slightly differently after you finish reading. This work is undoubtedly one of them.